Haal Massa is Yohani’s most recent song which premiered on 30 January, and the release marks a glaring deviation from what audiences have come to expect from Yohani.
The lyrics, melody, and music arrangement is credited to veteran musician Rajiv Sebastian. The song had clear influences from Rajiv’s signature style of feel-good “baila” tracks, and while it was a sharp left turn for Yohani – an artist who has really made a mark for herself as the face of the new wave in Lankan music – it was a refreshing change.
Haal Massa is an endearing song telling Yohani’s story in possibly the most Lankan way. Speaking to The Morning Brunch, Yohani talked about the changes she’s adopted in this new release, sharing a little story about how the stars aligned for it all to come together this way.
Back in 2020, one of the major concerts Yohani took part in was the BNS Drive-in Concert where she was a featured artist. She shared that while ordinarily she would take great care to credit all artists whom she covers, on this particular occasion, largely due to a lack of control due to the calibre of the event, when she sang a version of the seminal classic “Mage konde nathath ina gaavata” performed originally by Corrine Almeida, she was not able to make the necessary mentions.
Following this performance, Rajiv, who happened to be the creator of that particular song on behalf of Corrine, had shared on his social media that while it is nice to see the younger generation pick up his work and present it to a fresh audience, it would have been nice to get a mention. This then led to Yohani immediately contacting Rajiv, upon which he shared that it was not said at all in bad faith. Yohani said that somehow, she believes her gesture must’ve resonated with Rajiv, because he offered to make a track just for her if she is interested, and of course the answer was resoundingly affirmative.
Yohani said that this offer from Rajiv came at a time when she was going through some difficult times with regards to her cover music, copyright issues, and artists demanding compensation, and so it was a silver lining which she embraced.
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Still from Yohani's new music video, "Haal Massa"[/caption]
The process
After taking some time to get to know Yohani and her story, Rajiv immediately sent over the lyrics and melody for the new track and then of course Covid happened and things came to a halt. Fast forward to just two months ago when Rajiv had said: “Why don’t you come on over to my studio and we will record the song?” They then got the ball rolling.
Yohani said that while their usual approach to making music is to do things digitally, she was able to have a wholly new experience when she recorded this track where everything was played live, with “Rajiv and the clan” playing backup.
She said that with regards to the melody, Rajiv proposed the baila sound, as this is what he knows. Yohani, as an artist currently exploring all avenues, said that she was excited by the prospect of doing something that is different, as she is not keen on being identified as exclusively a pop or rap artists; she simply wishes to create music she loves and what her audience is sure to love.
Considering that it is not at all cheap to produce a track, addressing the cost factor, Yohani said that once again, Rajiv needs to be recognised for having taken her under his wing unconditionally, as he declared that it is his gift to her. Yohani quite emotionally shared that having gone through the experience of artists tearing down fellow artists, it was a moment of deepfelt gratitude she experienced, having a senior artist express their unconditional support for someone who is still finding their way.
Haal Massa
Recorded and mixed by Vidya Munasinghe
Keys – Anton Fernando, Bass – Niluk Ranga Kumara, Drums – Dhanushka Jayaweera, Guitar – Mahinda Bandara, Violin – Sanath Sarathchandra, and Percussion – Dhananjaya Manawadu
Dancers – Island Stompers
Music video
Producer – Theewra (www.theewra.com)
Director – Dilanjan Seneviratne
Assistant Director – Charith Rodrigo
Hair and makeup – Anusha Chandanathilake (The Hair Studio Sri Lanka)
Production Manager – Ranjana M. Rajapakshe
Special thanks: Prima KottuMee, Sajith Gunaratne, and Achala Ramanayake
Still from Yohani's new music video, "Haal Massa"[/caption]
The process
After taking some time to get to know Yohani and her story, Rajiv immediately sent over the lyrics and melody for the new track and then of course Covid happened and things came to a halt. Fast forward to just two months ago when Rajiv had said: “Why don’t you come on over to my studio and we will record the song?” They then got the ball rolling.
Yohani said that while their usual approach to making music is to do things digitally, she was able to have a wholly new experience when she recorded this track where everything was played live, with “Rajiv and the clan” playing backup.
She said that with regards to the melody, Rajiv proposed the baila sound, as this is what he knows. Yohani, as an artist currently exploring all avenues, said that she was excited by the prospect of doing something that is different, as she is not keen on being identified as exclusively a pop or rap artists; she simply wishes to create music she loves and what her audience is sure to love.
Considering that it is not at all cheap to produce a track, addressing the cost factor, Yohani said that once again, Rajiv needs to be recognised for having taken her under his wing unconditionally, as he declared that it is his gift to her. Yohani quite emotionally shared that having gone through the experience of artists tearing down fellow artists, it was a moment of deepfelt gratitude she experienced, having a senior artist express their unconditional support for someone who is still finding their way.
Haal Massa
Recorded and mixed by Vidya Munasinghe
Keys – Anton Fernando, Bass – Niluk Ranga Kumara, Drums – Dhanushka Jayaweera, Guitar – Mahinda Bandara, Violin – Sanath Sarathchandra, and Percussion – Dhananjaya Manawadu
Dancers – Island Stompers
Music video
Producer – Theewra (www.theewra.com)
Director – Dilanjan Seneviratne
Assistant Director – Charith Rodrigo
Hair and makeup – Anusha Chandanathilake (The Hair Studio Sri Lanka)
Production Manager – Ranjana M. Rajapakshe
Special thanks: Prima KottuMee, Sajith Gunaratne, and Achala Ramanayake